Ex-Boulder cops due to be charged in Mapleton elk shooting on Feb. 7

By Mitchell Byars, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
01/29/2013 03:10:59 PM MST

Updated:
01/29/2013 03:46:53 PM MST

Samuel J. Carter (Boulder County Sheriff's Office)

The two former Boulder police officers accused of planning and carrying out the shooting and disposing of a trophy elk in the Mapleton Hill area are scheduled to be formally charged Feb. 7, according to court officials.

Former officers Sam Carter, 35, and Brent Curnow, 38, were arrested earlier this month on suspicion of nine charges -- including three felonies -- after investigators say texts between them revealed they planned the kill in advance.

Both Carter and Curnow were booked earlier this month on suspicion of forgery, tampering with physical evidence, attempting to influence a public official -- all felonies -- as well as unlawful taking of a trophy elk, conspiracy, a Samson surcharge, killing an elk out of season, unlawful use of an electronic communication device to unlawfully take wildlife and first degree official misconduct -- all misdemeanors.

Brent R. Curnow (Boulder County Sheriff's Office)

Carter and Curnow could face prison time and the loss of their official police certification. Both men were released on $20,000 personal recognizance bonds.

According to an affidavit, Carter told police the day after the shooting that he encountered an elk while on patrol near Mapleton Avenue and Ninth Street late Jan. 1 that he said was injured and needed to be put down. Carter then shot the animal with a shotgun, and Curnow -- who was off-duty -- came to pick up the carcass with the help of an on-duty Boulder County sheriff's deputy, identified as Jeff George.

Carter did not report the incident or notify his supervisors he fired his weapon that night.

According to an arrest affidavit, cell phone records obtained from phone carriers for Carter and Curnow show the shooting was premeditated. In the texts, Carter can be seen referring to the elk as early as 2:56 a.m. Jan. 1 -- almost 20 hours before the shooting.

Both Carter and Curnow resigned after an internal investigation was launched by the Boulder Police Department.